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New hand sensors turn post-stroke rehab into an on-screen game

Researchers developed piezoelectric patch sensors that track finger movements to play rock-paper-scissors, promoting self-motivated healthcare and entertainment. The sensors provide quantifiable data and objective feedback, improving patient outcomes through accessibility, independence, and motivation.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateJun 2, 2026

University of Houston psychologist reveals how distraction breaks memory

Researchers at the University of Houston found that distraction disrupts memory consolidation primarily due to demands on central executive processing. To improve short-term memory, focus attention on a task for a few seconds before switching, and avoid multitasking.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalAttention Perception & Psychophysics·DateApr 20, 2026

Overlooked brainstem pathway controls human hands

A new study identifies a previously unknown brainstem pathway controlling hand and arm movements, revealing a multi-stage pathway integrating signals from the cortex, brainstem, and spinal networks. This finding may lead to new therapies for stroke rehabilitation, providing additional targets for neuromodulation treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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Researchers reveal how autism-linked mutation triggers PTSD-like fear

A study published in Science Advances reveals that an autism-linked mutation disrupts brain circuits responsible for erasing fear memories, leading to PTSD-like symptoms. By reactivating specific neurons, researchers were able to reverse the behavioral and physiological abnormalities.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 17, 2025

Identifying the neural mechanism that regulates social behavior with strangers

Researchers discovered that activating NPBWR1 neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala enhances social interactions with novel individuals. This study also found that overexpressing the human NPBWR1 gene in mouse neurons reduces sociability, highlighting the importance of genetic variations in personality traits.

SourceInternational Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 29, 2025

Danger or pleasure? How we learn to tell the difference

Researchers have discovered that the amygdala uses specialized neurons to learn about threats and rewards, a finding that could lead to more effective treatments for anxiety and drug addiction. By studying how these neurons respond differently to various stimuli, scientists have gained insights into the brain's reward system.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature·DateApr 5, 2023
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Researchers identify brain region associated with feeling full after eating

A new study by the University of Arizona has identified a brain region and neural circuitry that mediate satiation, making it possible to create treatments with fewer side effects for eating disorders and weight management. The parasubthalamic nucleus plays a key role in regulating feelings of fullness after eating.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalMolecular Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2022

Mechanism behind compulsive alcohol use revealed

A study published in Science Advances reveals a previously unknown mechanism behind compulsive alcohol use, which may be targeted by medication. A small group of nerve cells in the central amygdala promote alcohol use despite negative consequences.

SourceLinköping University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2021

How micro-circuits in the brain regulate fear

A recent study found that neuronal microcircuits in the amygdala play a crucial role in regulating fear responses and suppressing fear memories. The researchers' findings suggest that dysfunction of this system can contribute to anxiety disorders, paving the way for more effective therapies.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 16, 2021
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

The 'inflammation' of opioid use

New research reveals a strong correlation between opioid use, brain inflammation, and negative emotional states during withdrawal. The study found that inflammation in the gut and central amygdala may contribute to the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateAug 29, 2019

Scientists show how brain circuit generates anxiety

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified a neural circuit in the amygdala that generates anxiety. The critical role of dynorphin was revealed, which could serve as a cellular target for treating anxiety-related disorders.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·DateMay 29, 2018

Lifting the veil on 'valence,' brain study reveals roots of desire, dislike

A new study maps distinct neighborhoods where feelings are assigned to experience in the basolateral amygdala, revealing a region with diverse and dynamic neurons that interact with each other. The findings shed light on how valence assignment works and may provide insights into mental health disorders.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 23, 2018

Research revises our knowledge of how the brain learns to fear

Research in mice reveals that the central amygdala, not the lateral portion, is crucial for aversive learning and associating sensory stimuli with threat. This finding has implications for treating disorders like anxiety and PTSD by modifying fear memories.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 23, 2017
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Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

A new neural circuit controls fear in the brain

A team of researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has identified a new pathway that controls fear memories and behavior in the mouse brain. The discovery, published in Nature, reveals that the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus plays a critical role in regulating fear learning and memory.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature·DateJan 19, 2015

Scripps Research Institute scientists link alcohol-dependence gene to neurotransmitter

Researchers identified the neurofibromatosis type 1 (Nf1) gene as a key regulator of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that lowers anxiety and increases feelings of relaxation. Variations in the human Nf1 gene are linked to alcohol-dependence risk and severity, suggesting a potential genetic basis for excessive drinking.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateAug 27, 2014

Scientists discover a new pathway for fear deep within the brain

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified a novel neural circuit linking the amygdala with the brainstem's fear response center. This discovery sheds light on how fear is translated into behavioral responses, paving the way for potential treatments of anxiety disorders like PTSD.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·DateFeb 12, 2014

Nociceptin: Nature's balm for the stressed brain

Researchers have confirmed the importance of the nociceptin system in modulating the effects of stress. The study found that this system can prevent and even reverse some cellular effects of acute stress in an animal model.

SourceScripps Research Institute·DateJan 8, 2014

CSHL neuroscientists pinpoint location of fear memory in amygdala

A recent study by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory researchers has identified a specific class of neurons in the central amygdala as crucial for encoding and recalling fear memories. The team used optogenetics to activate these neurons, which release neurotransmitters that enhance or inhibit synaptic connections, leading to fear responses.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 27, 2013
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Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Scripps Research scientists find key mechanism in transition to alcohol dependence

A team of Scripps Research scientists found a key biological mechanism underpinning the transition to alcohol dependence. They discovered that neuropeptide Y, a naturally occurring anti-stress agent, plays a crucial role in mediating the transition to alcohol dependence by modulating GABA release in the amygdala.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMay 31, 2011